deciduous tree
Honeylocust: pruning, storm risk and removal
Gleditsia triacanthos. Also called Honey locust, Sweet locust, Thorny locust.
Plain-English notes for homeowners, plus field notes for tree crews. General guidance only: for one specific tree, have a local insured pro look at it.
Honeylocust at a glance
| Height | 30-70 ft |
|---|---|
| Spread | 30-50 ft |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| USDA zones | 3-9 |
| Lifespan | typically 100-120 years |
| Type | Deciduous |
| Native range | Native to the central and eastern United States. Thornless, podless cultivars are widely planted in cities and yards across the country. |
| Roots | Deep and wide-spreading, with good tolerance of drought, road salt, compacted soil and city conditions. |
| Wood | Hard, heavy and strong, with good rot resistance. It makes good firewood with high heat and slow burn. Wild trees have large branched thorns that make handling difficult. |
| Storm risk | lowThe crown is open with small leaflets, so wind passes through it well. The wood is moderately strong. Weak, included-bark forks and old decayed branches can still fail. |
Typical ranges, not guarantees. Soil, water, space and care change how a tree grows. Storm risk is our general rating for the species, not an inspection.
For homeowners
Caring for a honeylocust
Best time to prune
Prune in the dormant season or in dry summer weather. Remove dead wood, crossing branches and weak forks. Pruning in dry weather limits canker risk.
Avoid pruning
Avoid pruning in wet weather and heavy topping. Avoid leaving stubs, which allow canker fungi in.
More on timing: when to prune trees.
- Choose a thornless, podless variety if you are planting. Wild trees have big thorns and messy pods.
- The small leaflets fall in fall and break down quickly, so there is little raking.
- Watch for cankers, sunken or dead patches on branches, after wet springs. Ask a pro to prune out the dead wood.
- Look for webbing in summer. It is often mimosa webworm. Ask a pro or your extension office what to do.
Safety first
Do not climb a tree or use a chainsaw on storm-loaded or broken wood. If a tree or limb is touching power lines, stay away and call the utility. If someone is in danger, call 911. For anything big, hire a local insured pro: read how to hire a tree service and is my tree dangerous?
Lirevon does not do tree work. Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews, then get two or three written quotes.
For tree crews
Field notes: working on honeylocust
- 1Check whether the tree is thorny before climbing. Wild trees can injure crews and tear gear.
- 2Seed pods can fall in large numbers in fall. Plan cleanup time.
- 3Remove dead branches fully back to healthy tissue to limit canker spread.
- 4Wood is hard and burns well. Customers often want it kept as firewood.
Removal notes
Wild-type trees carry large, sharp thorns on the trunk and branches. Thornless varieties are common in towns. Seed pods are long and twisted and fall in large numbers. Stumps can resprout, and some trees spread by seed.
Wood
Hard, heavy and strong, with good rot resistance. It makes good firewood with high heat and slow burn. Wild trees have large branched thorns that make handling difficult.
Pricing this job? Try the tree job estimator. Follow your own safety plan and crew training on every job.
Common problems for honeylocust
Pests and diseases to watch for. Each link explains signs and what to do.
Trees often mistaken for it
Check the leaves, bark and shape before you decide how to prune or treat.
Where honeylocust grows
Native range: Native to the central and eastern United States. Thornless, podless cultivars are widely planted in cities and yards across the country.
Common in these US regions. Tap one to see other trees there.
Free tools for this tree
They run in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Results are estimates.
Honeylocust: common questions
Does honeylocust have thorns?
Wild honeylocust can have large, branched thorns, some several inches long. Most trees sold for yards are thornless varieties. Check before you handle an unknown tree.
Is honeylocust messy?
The tiny leaflets drop and vanish quickly in fall, so leaf cleanup is light. Trees that make seed pods drop long, twisted brown pods. Podless varieties avoid this.
Is honeylocust a good street tree?
It is often used because it handles drought, salt, heat and compacted soil, and it lets dappled light through. Variety diversity matters, so check what your city already has planted.
What are the problems with honeylocust?
Common problems include canker diseases, mimosa webworm, plant bugs and spider mites. Most healthy trees handle them. Proper pruning and watering help.
How fast does honeylocust grow?
At a medium pace, often about 1 to 2 feet a year when young. Trees typically reach 30 to 70 feet.
Is honeylocust good firewood?
Yes. It is dense and gives high heat. It splits fairly well when seasoned for a year or more. Handle thorny wood with care.
More trees in the same regions
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